The students at LUSEM are money driven, wear exclusively designer clothes, and all come from wealthy families in Stockholm. And you’ll be sure to find them at Malmö Nation. These are just a few of the stereotypes I’ve encountered from other students in Lund since I’ve started studying here. When people ask me, ‘What are you studying?’ and I say, ‘Business and Economics,’ I often hear, ‘Oh, you don’t seem like the typical LUSEM student.’ This has become such a common response that it’s made me wonder: what does a typical LUSEM student even look like? Below I’ve listed some of the most common stereotypes I’ve faced since starting my studies, and I’ll try to address whether they hold any truth.
- We’re all a bunch of finance bros
When you hear the word ‘finance bro’ a certain image immediately comes to mind. There are definitely some students who fit the mold — the slick back hair and the signature finance bro vest with a brown leather portfolio bag. But they’re not many. However, are there people who constantly talk about stocks, seize every opportunity to network, and add complete strangers on LinkedIn? Yes… They do exist. But once again, they are far from a majority. So while this stereotype has some truth to it, it’s not as widespread as people might think.
- We’re from Stockholm
I had no clue about this stereotype until I started studying here. While I’m not from Stockholm myself, I have to admit there’s some truth to it. It feels like almost everyone I’ve met or spoken to at school is from the Swedish capital. During my first year we did a class poll, and it revealed that almost 50% of the 340 students were from Stockholm. So the stereotype is exactly half-true. At this point, I’m starting to wonder if studying at LUSEM is some sort of regional requirement for people from Stockholm.
- We only go out to Malmö Nation
If you’re from Stockholm and feeling a bit homesick Malmö Nation is basically your home away from home. As a lot of people from Stockholm tend to study at LUSEM, you’ll most likely bump into a few there. Of course, not every student is a member at Malmö Nation but it is definitely popular amongst the students here. So I’d have to say that this stereotype holds some truth. But let’s not forget — Gothenburg Nation is also a hugely popular spot for many students.
- We are rich and spoiled
Have I encountered students whose parents have bought them an apartment in Lund? Yes, I have. Are there students who fetch a cab home from every lecture? There are some. Is this a common occurrence? Not really. While there are certainly students from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds at LUSEM, it doesn’t necessarily mean that wealthier students dominate the campus. I truly doubt that there are more rich kids at LUSEM compared to other programs at Lund University.
- We wear exclusively designer clothing
This stereotype ties closely to the stereotype that LUSEM students are rich and spoiled. I would agree that there’s a certain ‘style’ that’s quite popular at LUSEM which some might refer to as ‘Stockholm style’. Nonetheless, it definitely doesn’t mean that all students are wearing designer labels. That said, I do occasionally spot a Louis Vuitton bag or a Prada jacket on campus, though these sightings are relatively rare.
- We only care about making a high salary
I believe it’s quite common for many LUSEM students to aim for a high salary in the future. For a lot of people this is part of the appeal of studying business or economics. Even though it’s not the only factor students consider when choosing LUSEM, it’s likely a significant motivation for many. I’ll admit it was one of the reasons I chose my program, and personally, I don’t see anything wrong with that. While some may view it as being greedy, I see it as simply working towards a secure future. After all, you still have to put in the hard work to achieve it.
To sum up, I have to acknowledge that there’s some truth to the stereotypes about LUSEM students. Yes, some students fit the ‘finance bro’ image, quite a few come from Stockholm, a handful exclusively go out to Malmö Nation, and there are certainly some who are wealthy, spoiled, or dressed in designer clothing. Many are also driven by the goal of making a high salary. Nevertheless, this by no means captures the full picture. LUSEM is home to a diverse mix of people, and no single description applies to everyone.
